Kids today do not have a lot of downtime. From the endless string of playdates to afterschool activities that
often run late into the night, there are very few minutes in many children’s days when they can simply be a child. And the time they do have? It’s usually spent in front of a screen.
“Getting kids to look away from their screens is a tough task these days,” explains Eric Beck, owner of Xtreme Trampolines. “If their eyes aren’t affixed to their cellphone screen, it’s affixed on the latest video game.”
One of the most essential things kids need is the chance to run and jump and explore to their heart’s content.
Birthday parties can offer the perfect time to let the kids have this much needed freedom in a safe and secure environment.
“The fact that our birthday parties are fairly unstructured is what we feel the kids really like,” says Beck, whose Xtreme Trampolines parties include a designated party coordinator to make sure the event goes smoothly. “We like to call the atmosphere in here as an organized, yet chaotic chaos.
From the trampoline park to the foam pit to the dodgeball park, these kids do a good job of wearing themselves out, which every parent loves.”
“Kids love to jump and play and Pump It Up parties are loud and lively affairs,” adds Davora Sides of Pump It Up Chicago, who in recent years has added new party themes such as the pirate experience, super hero experience, and glow experience. “We see an immediate wow the minute they walk in. Physical activity on and off the inflatables is at the center of the action.”
Mixing up where all of this action will take place is often the key in keeping children of all ages entertained. Pump it Up, for example, offers three separate areas in which private two-hour birthday parties take place, with children enjoying 40 minutes playing in Arena A, 40 minutes playing in Arena B and 40 minutes in the much loved party room.
“In the Arenas, there are kids running, playing and squealing with glee while parents mingle or relax on sofas and benches around the room,” Sides says. The Pump It Up facility last year moved things around, swapped out some inflatables and added a new interactive projection game to their parties. “Overall our parties are all about activity and socializing.”
Windy City Fieldhouse also offers high-energy birthday parties for the sports lovers in your life. With a variety of party packages such as Mad Science and Scavenger Hunts, the birthday child gets to call the shots when it comes to selecting their activities.
“It’s all about enjoying a day designed by them and for them,” says Alexis Kniaz, special event sales manager at Windy City Fieldhouse. “WCF parties have evolved over the years to reflect more of a custom feel. Every child is different, so every party feels different. Whether it means changing the names of our activities to fit a superhero theme or adding interactive food stations like nachos and cotton candy, we love making our clients feel special.”
Of course, safety must be the priority. “Our staff monitors the play time, sets up the party room, serves the food and does all the cleanup,” Beck says. “In terms of safety for the younger kids, we often tell parents that they have to recognize their children’s maturity level and see what they can handle.”
Kniaz says kids love that the birthday child gets to select a handful of activities to play. “Our large athletic complex is an ideal venue for an energetic group. Our staff makes sure kids are engaged and playing together for a nonstop, action-packed event. Adult guests enjoy the safe environment of kids being all together in one area so they can relax and watch their kids have a great time! Our number one goal is to make sure the birthday child has the time of their life.”
Part of Celebrations, a special advertising birthday party guide.
